
When I think of Saturn, instantly this painting comes to mind. When I think of Capricorn, instantly The Ascent by Capricorn painter, Rob Schouten appears to me.
First off, let me say, that if you have heard and accepted negative talk about Saturn, let it go. Breathe in. Breathe out any gloomy, defeatist energy you may have been conditioned to feel when thinking about Saturn. (If this is not you, bravo.)
Saturn won’t do anything to you. Yet, you may feel stronger, more mature and enduring following Saturn in Capricorn’s journey up the mountain the next two years.
Saturn is one of two planets which symbolizes what our roles could look like in the world. Jupiter is the other. Saturn represents the form of it — say, the career. Jupiter represents the gifts or talents which Saturn’s energy can puts form to or establishes over the long haul.
During Saturn times, when active in your personal horoscope, sure, there can be a sense of weightiness in the house it travels through. In simple generic terms, here is where we reap what we have sown — either successfully or not. This is how karma fits into the Saturn picture. Karma, also simply described, is a reaction to an action.
The area of life, or house, Saturn is interested in, is where our real Earth life focus is directed. We can choose to completely knock down and rebuild, or change our strategy. Keep what works, and modify what doesn’t relative to where Saturn is traveling.
We always have choice. We always can view events or situations from varying perspectives.
To overcome any negativity surrounding Saturn, build new rules: 1. Focus on growth, maturity, accomplishment and integrity. 2. Know there is plenty of time to build or rebuild. 3. Take breaks, to gain perspective on progress.
Marc Robertson taught: the planet, in our chart, ruled by the sign Saturn enters at any given time, is activated at the entry point into the new sign — 0 degrees. Breaking it down, Saturn is just entering Capricorn. Capricorn rules the planet, Saturn. Where Saturn resides in our birth chart becomes more noticeable, subject to maturation and sometimes necessary growing pains. (While Saturn was in Sagittarius, Jupiter, was worthy of our consideration.)
As Saturn enters Capricorn, we can become aware of what the next two and a half years will mean for us through Saturn in our horoscope. This time around watch for:
Reality versus Fantasy. From Steven Arroyo in Astrology, Karma & Transformation, Saturn “shows us slowly but surely what the reality of the material world truly is, once all of our wishes, hopes, fantasies, self-deceptions and desires are out of the way. Secondly, the Saturnian experience of the material world tests us in every step we make in our development. Saturn allows no room for self-deception, escapism, or rationalization. Saturn tests how concentrated our spiritual growth really is and how concentrated our consciousness is.”
Integrity. From Steven Forrest, a quote about Capricorn Suns, “They’re just trying to do the right thing in a world where the rules are constantly changing.” Rules are likely to change. We may change them; others may change them. We hope they support our realities in a good way and build karma that we are satisfied with.
Boundaries. Where are boundaries and walls weakened or strong and solid? Is it time to move on, to rebuild or improve? This could be related to a profession, your consciousness, or to accomplishment in the world.
For example, I am setting boundaries on how much time to spend on what does not support me financially during lean times. I am trusting that I will hear more from my Soul regarding how to become a more successful human (in all ways.) Toward this end, I may write less, but will send you to excellent resources like Steven Forrest’s article on Saturn in Capricorn.

Harrowing #4 by Susan Madsen. Oil and Goldleaf. From the description, “the law of the underworld must be fulfilled” is reminiscent of Pluto in Capricorn’s demands. How will Saturn judge? According to the laws of Karma.
Let’s remember Pluto is also in Capricorn (since 2008) and plays the role of Shadow which must be revealed, destroyed and transformed. For big picture on Pluto and Saturn, you’ll find some excellent webinars presented at Evolutionary Astrology.net
More resources to support your astrological studies are at the end of this article after these basic details.
Saturn and Capricorn Keywords
- Social position
- Worldly Accomplishment
- Status
- Maturity
- Patriotism
- Aging and Old Age
- Grief
- Discipline
- Fear
- Judge and Judgment
- Rules
- Boundaries
- Structure (Physical and Consciousness)
- Responsibility
- Blocks
- Regression
- History
- Tradition
- Cultural, Societal, Familial Conditioning
- Karma
- Defeat
- Success
- Death
Health and Wellness Keywords from Jeffery Wolf Green
- Bones
- Skin
- Teeth
- Spine
- Cell Structure
- Cartilage
- Fats
- Iron
- Marrow
- Conditions: arthritis, skin issues, blockages, atrophy, death.
Saturn Returns
If you were born with Saturn in Capricorn, in the next two and a half years, you will have a Saturn Return. This means Saturn returns to the sign and degree it was in when you were born. Significant in astrology and in life, this maturity phase fashions a new experience of life. At the first return we enter full adulthood; at the second an elder phase.
At the end of each cycle, we are encouraged let go of what we have outgrown and, as with any new phase, trust is helpful during the next steps, to either build upon what we have learned or start from the beginning.
The first return occurs roughly at age 27-31. The second at 56-60; the third at 84-90. At the bottom of this article find books focused on Saturn. My favorite is Critical Ages by Marc Robertson, which teaches the phases of Saturn and the changes that occur through Saturn’s approximately 29.5 year cycle. Another famous book about Saturn was written by Liz Green, called Saturn: An New Look at an Old Devil.
Are you having a Saturn Return in the next 2.5 years?
Saturn was in Capricorn during these periods:
March 15, 1929 – May 4, 1929
November 29, 1929 – February 23, 1932
January 5, 1959 – January 3, 1962
February 13, 1988 – June 9, 1988
November 12, 1988 – February 6, 1991
December 19, 1917 8:46 PM PST – March 21, 2020
July 1, 2020 – December 16, 2020
Saturn in Capricorn Stations
If you have planets or angles at station points (retrograde or direct), more emphasis is placed on Saturnian events, turning points or restrictions. If Saturn does not quite reach a retrograde degree, according to Steven Arroyo, the feeling of being blocked or restricted is stronger.
April 21, 1930 Retrograde at 11° 53′
September 9, 1930 Direct at 5° 15′
May 3, 1951 Retrograde at 23° 17′
September 21, 1931 Direct at 23° 17′
October 2, 1932 Direct at 28° 7′
April 16, 1959 Retrograde 7° 4′
September 4, 1959 Direct 0° 28 ‘
April 27, 1960 Retrograde 18° 26 ‘
September 15, 1960 Direct 11° 49′
May 9, 1961 Retrograde 29° 51’
September 27, 1961 23° 14
April 10, 1988 Retrograde 2° 33′
April 22, 1989 Retrograde 13° 56′
September 10, 1989 Direct 7° 18′
April 17, 2018 Retrograde 9° 9′
September 6, 2018 Direct 2° 33′
April 29, 2019 Retrograde 20° 31
September 18, 2019 Direct 13° 59′
(Retrograde is in Aquarius)
September 28, 2020 Direct 25° 20′
Cardinal Sun Signs
Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorns are in Saturn times. Refer to the beginning of the article for more on Saturn Times. Aries and Libras feel forced to take action or are presented with situations requiring action. Cancers have decisions to make. All will grow up to some degree.
Earth Signs
Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn, in general, are supported by Saturn in Capricorn which trines these signs. With past good and strong effort, obstructions can be obliterated; success and recognition attained.
Resources
Webinars
Kim Marie and Media Monk at EvolutionaryAstrology.net are presenting classes on Saturn. They always produce excellent material to use as reference.
Books

Saturn: A new look at an old devil
by Liz Green
Buy on Amazon

Transit of Saturn – First Edition by Marc Robertson published by American Federation of Astrologers
First Edition

Saturn in Transit: Boundaries of Mind, Body, and Soul
by Erin Sullivan
Buy on Amazon

Mythic Astrology: Internalizing the Planetary Powers
by Ariel Guttman and Kenneth Johnson
Buy at Amazon

Astrology, Karma & Transformation: The Inner Dimensions of the Birth Chart
Stephen Arroyo
Buy at Amazon

Saturn, Chiron and the Centaurs
by Melanie Reinhardt
Buy on Amazon
Professionalism is a Saturn in Capricorn Focus

The Professional Astrologer: Building a Successful Astrology Practice
by Maurice Fernandez, Arlan Wise
Buy at Amazon
Leave a Reply